Improvement in potato-diggers



ttiii aan JOHN'A.v WADHAMS, 0F BLUEISLAN'D,ILLIOIS.

Letters Patent No. 113,373, dated April 4, 1871.

IMPROVEMENT IN POTATG-DIGGERS.

The Schedule :referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the saine. i i

To whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. WADHAM'S, of Blue- Island, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Potato-Diggers; and I do declare that the following is a true and accurate description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing vand to the .letters of reference marked thereon and being a part of this specitication, in whichl I Tigure lis a longitudinal section of my machine, ano

Figure 2 is a detached view in perspective, showing the mechanism that operates the endless chain, the shovel, and the device for throwing in and outvof gear.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each ligure.

lhe nature of this invention relates toan improved construction of that class of agricultural implements known as potato-diggers.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of an upper frame and a lower frame, lthe front ends of which are connected by a chain, the lower frame being pivoted at its rear end, and having attached to its under side at the front end a verticallyadjustable scoop, the position of which in the ground is regulated in part by its devices for adjustment, and in part by a lever under the control of the driver, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

A represents the axle of my (ligger, carrying the traction-wheel B.

Mounted upon this axle is the frame'O.

D is another frame, whichl is suspended from the frame O b y a chain, a, at Yits forward end.y

l) is a bracket pivoted to the rear end 'of the frame C, projecting downward and provided with the arms 7L.

c is a shaft journaled in lower part `of the bracket l) and in frame D, as shown, thus furnishing a support for the rear of said frame.

Ou either endof the shaft c are rigidly secured the pinions E in such-manner that they will mesh with the spiir-gears F, which are rigidly secured to the spokes of the traction-wheels B, upon the inner sides.

Upon this shaft c, within the frame, are also secured the pulleys G, which have in their peripheries the studs d.

H is a scoop or shovel attached to the forward end of the frame l) by suitable bolts passing through the arms e of the scoop int-ol the frame.l

In the rea-r end of the scoop is journaled ashaft, j", carrying the pulleys I.

At or near the rear end of the frame D is a similar shaftfcarryiug the pulleys J.

K is an endless 4chain which passes over the pulleys G, I, and J, as shown.

L is a lever pivoted to the tongue-bar of the frame C, the handle of which is in easy reach of' the driver when sitting upon the seat M.

` by Letters Latent, is-

The forward end of thislever is slotted to receive -the hook g upon the frame D, while the rear end of the lever is toothed, as shown, and is held in the desired position by means ofthe catch j, which engages with the teeth on the end of the lever.

`The object 'of the arrangement of the frames C and D, connected -by the chain a, is to giveat all times to the scoop H an independent shaking motion, which will enable it betterA toenter the ground and `avoid obstacles therein.

The object of the slot in the lever L is to allow of slotted to receive downward-projecting pins from the axle, thatserve as guides yto keep the :arms in place. Upon the top of the short arms of vthe levers N is secured a foot-plate, 7c, shown in fig. 1.

The pitch of the scoop is regulated-hy the lever L, as will be seen on reference to the drawing.-

As'the device is drawn forward the scoop is caused to enter the ground and pass under the potatoes.

In the continued forward movement of the machine the rotation of the tractionlwheels causes the pulleys G to turn, and with them the endless` chain, by reason of the engagement of the studs ou the pulleys G with the ehain,`and the connection between' the pinions E and the spur-gears F.

"/Ihe potatoes and earthpass up the scoopand fall over onto the endless-chain belt, and in their further travel to the rear the earth is shaken off and falls .through the chain,` while the potatoes are carried to the rear and fall on the ground.

To throw the device ont of gear, the foot is raised from the plate 7a, which will allow the long arms of the lc'vers N to drop, and with them the arms h of the bracket b, which swings ou its pivot, clearing the pinions E from their connection with the spurs F.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure 1. The combination of the frames C and D connected by the chain a, and the scoop H, all constructed and arranged substantially as described arid shown, for the purposes set forth.4

2. The combination 'of the frames (l and D con-l nected by the chain a, the scoop H, and the lever L provided with a slot, all constructed and arranged substantially as described and shown, for the purposes set forth. Y

, JOHN A. WADHAMS.

Witnesses:

ELLIs F. Hawes, f ETHAN H. WATTLns. 

